World's greatest maps on show at National Library in Canberra

A collection of some of the oldest and rarest maps in the world is on show in Canberra.

The Mapping Our World: Terra Incognita to Australia exhibition at the National Library examines the history of cartography from ancient Greek days and medieval times through to European explorations and the voyages of Flinders and Cook.

It features 135 maps, wall charts, atlases, paintings, clocks, cartography and navigational instruments, many of which have never before been seen in the southern hemisphere.

Some of the priceless treasures are on loan from the British Library, the Vatican, and the Bibliotheque Nationale de France.

It really gives people an overview of how people envisioned the world, how they imagined there may have been a great south land, something to balance the northern hemisphere.

Nat Williams, curator

Curator Nat Williams says the maps inspired the idea of Australia.

"It really gives people an overview of how people envisioned the world, how they imagined there may have been a great south land, something to balance the northern hemisphere," he said.

"And progressively how out of the mists of confusion, speculation and exploration, ultimately the continent of Australia sort of loomed larger and larger via the Dutch, and the French, and finally the British with Cook and Flinders."

Mr Williams says it is a myth busting display.

"If you ask people 'Who discovered Australia?' many would say Captain Cook," he said.

"Of course Captain Cook had a great role in documenting New Holland, the east coast of Australia, but in fact we know the Dutch had been here since 1606, and there is speculation of Portuguese exploration of the area.

"So there are lots of stories about how we became clearly on the map."